Hi!
 
I've finally had enough of my Edirol PCR-800 controller. After the latest Windows 10 anniversary update I cant get it to work. I've tried all the recommended guides etc here but still not working. And I cant put much more time into this.
 
So...
 
M-Audio Axiom 61, Arturia Keylab 61, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 or something completely different?
 
I have to add that I mostly use Arturias softsynths. The only Native Instruments softsynth I own is Kontakt and Guitar Rig 5. But at the same time I've heard that the Arturia one have some quality issues?
 
Anyone out there who has used them all or knows pros and cons with the different ones?
 
/M

Ah... Minimal setup and compability with Sonar is a must.

I currently use 2 midi controllers, in the studio and when performing.  They are: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, and M-Audio Keystation 88es.
 
I don't bother with setting up ACT for either - the Keystation has no real midi control capability, other than note triggering.  The Axiom Pro 61 has all kinds of transport controls and knobs and faders and drum pads, but again, I do not bother with those, and just use them for primarily note triggering, and pitch bend and mod wheel.
 
Both have been rock solid for me.
 
Bob Bone
 

I am currently debating between the Kontrol s61, Novation SL MK2 61 and the new Nektar LX 61+ (not seen it for sale yet and does not have aftertouch as far as i can tell)
 
I currently have a Novation SL MK2 25 that I got cheap second hand, downside is you really need to use automap, the keyboard quality is great though.  I could not get it working to my satisfaction with ACT
 
Someone on here got a Behringer Motor 49, it comes in a 61 key variant, they got working with the azslow utility

What about one of those Kontrol S-series keyboard. More developers seem to be jumping on the NKS bandwagon. I've got a PCR-500 that I have not yet tried with the new Win10 update so I'm right behind you.

I want to a dealer today to try some of them out. I had my sights set for the Arturia keylab 61 which i thought would fit my needs perfectly since I'm a Arturia guy... But man... It felt like a toy. And that white color everyone seems to love. I didn't like it at all. There was a black special edition of the 49 version that looked much better. But the keys, sliders and knobs felt everything but premium. The Native Instruments one felt far more professional. BUT the one I really enjoyed playing the most was the Akai Advance 61.. Anyone used that one with Sonar?

there are at least 2 people 
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Akai-Advance-transport-controls-in-Sonar-X3-m3277692.aspx
 
I was thinking of the advance for a while, so went digging

you should probably read this thread also
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com...or-Splat-m3460121.aspx

FWIW -
My Native Instruments S-61 keyboard is VERY nice , and the integration with NKS-enabled plugins is awesome!
But, to really get the most out of it, you need to be using the Native Instruments Komplete plugins or other 3rd-party NKS-enabled instruments. Non-NKS plugins will generally work as well, but you may need to spend a lot of time manually mapping them to to S-series controls, and won't (by default) have the graphical interface and browsing capability that comes with NKS-enabled plugins.
 
S-series keyboard capability as a control surface with Sonar is very minimal, and personally I would not recommend any of the current NI S-series keyboards if your primary purpose is control surface integration. However, a basic control surface like the Presonus Faderport makes a GREAT companion for the S-series (and many other) keyboards, and having both available makes for a VERY cool integrated setup, especially if you're planning on using a lot of NKS-enabled soft synths!

rivers88
S-series keyboard capability as a control surface with Sonar is very minimal, and personally I would not recommend any of the current NI S-series keyboards if your primary purpose is control surface integration. However, a basic control surface like the Presonus Faderport makes a GREAT companion for the S-series (and many other) keyboards, and having both available makes for a VERY cool integrated setup, especially if you're planning on using a lot of NKS-enabled soft synths!

This is the path I think I will end up taking, maybe with an X-touch or Korg Nano control, either that or use ableton or cubase as my main DAW.  I have essentially given up on finding a midi controller to intergrate properly into Sonar on its own.
 
Oh, you might wish to look at the Roland a-88, if you start looking at 2 part solutions